Quasi-Level 10 vs. Level 10?

Jing Hongchen looked eagerly at Xu Xiao, as though he were gazing upon a priceless treasure.

"This old man is willing to join. It's just that..."

"Speak."

Xu Xiao looked at Jing Hongchen impassively, curious to see what trick this old fox intended to pull.

"It's just that if this old man only represents the Hongchen Family, then naturally I can join. But if Mingde Hall is to come with me, I must first obtain one person's approval."

"That person is the Empire Quasi-Level 10 Soul Tool Master Kong Deming!"

Xu Xiao had anticipated this and showed little reaction. At most, a quasi-Level 10 could exchange a few blows with a Limit Douluo. He knew Elder Zu's strength well—he was a powerhouse capable of suppressing three Limit Douluo by himself.

Strangely enough, ever since he had transmigrated here...

This fantasy world's power ceiling seemed to have risen just a tiny bit. Perhaps the experts I summoned are just too overpowered. However, Xiao He had discussed with him how the current Douluo power levels differed greatly from the original work.

An ordinary Title Douluo could suppress two Title Douluo one rank below them, while the talents he summoned could suppress at least three. Could it be that the system raised this world's power ceiling a little?

Knowing that Jing Hongchen wanted Kong Deming to probe Elder Zu's abilities, Xu Xiao said casually, "Go bring Kong Deming here. I accept this proposal. But if you dare play any more tricks..."

Jing Hongchen felt as though he were about to enter that world that terrified him once again. He immediately bowed. "Your Highness, I would not dare."

Seeing him surrender so decisively, Xu Xiao did not deliberately make things difficult for him. Still, he stopped the two of them just as they were about to leave.

"Meng Hongchen stays behind. Bringing someone along will slow you down too much. Go and return quickly."

Xu Xiao wore an expression that said he was doing this for their own good, prompting Meng Hongchen to glare at him fiercely. Yet with so many powerful people around, she did not dare act recklessly and could only keep making faces at him.

"Fine!" Jing Hongchen did not dare hesitate for long. He merely rubbed Meng Hongchen's little head. "Be good. Play here nicely. Grandpa will be back soon, so don't be afraid."

Once Meng Hongchen was left behind alone, she became somewhat reserved. Xu Xiao found her like this rather amusing and had Elder Zu and Xiao He withdraw first.

Once only Meng Hongchen and Xu Xiao remained in the room, the little girl became slightly bolder. She put her hands on her hips and fixed her large eyes on him.

"Why did you leave me behind? You jerk!"

"You don't have some bad intentions toward this young lady, do you?" Meng Hongchen looked Xu Xiao over. He was rather handsome and perfectly suited her tastes, but he could not just do this!

Speechless, Xu Xiao flicked her forehead. "What exactly goes through that little head of yours all day?"

"Little sister, you're essentially a hostage now. Understand?"

"If your grandfather takes too long and doesn't return, what do you think I'll do?" Xu Xiao deliberately put on a vicious expression.

"Hmph, hmph! I'm not scared. You're just trying to frighten me!"

Looking at Meng Hongchen's smug little expression, Xu Xiao was rather puzzled. He remembered that in his previous life, this girl had been a foolish lovestruck type. Just how many people has my arrival changed?!

Perhaps because Xu Xiao had remained silent and simply kept staring at her, Meng Hongchen no longer seemed as confident as before. Her two little hands reached out, grabbed Xu Xiao's hand, and began shaking it.

"Don't kill me, okay?"

Her eyes brimmed with tears, and her pitiful appearance was heartbreaking. Xu Xiao let her hold onto him.

Only when she was truly on the verge of breaking down did he reach out and wipe the tears from her face. "I'll let it go this time. We'll see how you behave from now on."

After having Meng Hongchen sit to the side, Xu Xiao did not ask anyone to avoid them. Instead, he had Xiang Yu bring Ye Guyi to the meeting room.

It was Ye Guyi's first time here as well. She cautiously hid behind Xiang Yu while listening to his report, secretly studying Xu Xiao with her eyes. When she saw his handsome face brimming with masculine charm, her cheeks reddened slightly.

So this is the person I'll... Not daring to think any further, Ye Guyi turned to look at Meng Hongchen, who was also staring around with the curiosity of a child. The latter made a face at her.

This little girl has white hair... Ye Guyi smiled at her. Seeing that the two seemed able to get along, Xu Xiao felt reassured. One was mischievous and lively, while the other seemed to be the cool and aloof type.

Wait, why does Xiang Yu's expression seem so strange whenever he looks at me, ever since he saw Meng Hongchen?! This guy doesn't think I have some kind of special fetish, does he?

"You did well. Go rest first."

After Xiang Yu bowed and took his leave, only the three of them remained in the room. Seeing the twitching corner of Xiang Yu's mouth as he left, Xu Xiao could not be bothered to explain himself.

"You two should get along well these next few days. Don't fight, and don't break my things. Especially you, Meng Hongchen! Who do you think I'm talking to?"

Xu Xiao watched helplessly as Meng Hongchen touched the antiques everywhere.

Now he understood why Jing Hongchen had not hesitated in the slightest. Ye Guyi, who was a little older than her, was much better behaved.

In the future, besides having his subordinates guide her cultivation, it would be nice to have her massage his shoulders and such.

Ignoring Meng Hongchen after scolding her, Xu Xiao looked at Ye Guyi and asked, "You have Innate Full Soul Power. In a few days, I'll take you hunting for a soul ring."

"Thank you," Ye Guyi replied.

Though she was young, her voice had already begun developing the cool maturity of an older woman's. Xu Xiao had always liked that sort of thing before transmigrating.

Xu Xiao had Ye Guyi come over and massage his shoulders. Reclining on the sofa, he felt completely at ease. Meng Hongchen pouted at the side and muttered insults Xu Xiao could not understand.

"And you, Meng Hongchen. I almost forgot about you. You're clenching your fists so tightly—are you planning to massage my legs? Then stop standing there blankly and come over."

The little girl walked over looking utterly miserable. In her heart, Xu Xiao was downright awful. Ye Guyi did not show the slightest impatience, though. Why was this older sister so obedient to that bad guy?

"Don't just stand there foolishly. Look at Guyi, then look at yourself."

Meng Hongchen rolled her eyes at Xu Xiao, utterly unconvinced, and began pounding heavily on his legs.

However, what she considered great force was nothing to Xu Xiao. With a physique close to that of a Spirit Emperor, was he really going to be beaten to death by a little girl like her?

Deep within the Hall of Worship.

"Elder Kong, that is the situation. How do you intend to handle it?" Jing Hongchen asked curiously.

"I never expected such a peerless genius to emerge from our Imperial Family!

"The last Ultimate Martial Soul belonged to the master of Sea God Pavilion at Schlke Academy thousands of years ago. It was because of that person that our Taiyue Empire ultimately lost the war!

"Haha! I do not believe in gods, but since he possesses an Ultimate Martial Soul and is an Imperial Member, the throne should belong to him!"

Kong Deming had never expected that while peacefully conducting his research, he would receive such wonderful news!

"Jing Hongchen, you are becoming more and more muddleheaded! An Ultimate Martial Soul combined with his identity is already enough. As for that unfamiliar Level 10 Soul Tool Master, do you expect this old man to fight him with my head?"

Kong Deming laughed and scolded him without ceremony.

"This... I am only a Level 9 Soul Tool Master, so I do not understand the gap between Level 10s. Elder Kong, then what should we do?" Jing Hongchen asked in confusion.

"We are all on the same side. On the other hand, Xu Tianxiong has been going too far lately. He even dared to collude with those two Evil Soul Masters at the Limit Douluo level!

"That Elder Zu came at exactly the right time. With the two of us, along with Xu Xiao's Ultimate Martial Soul, the Empire is destined to unify Douluo in a few decades!"